Dexter's Films

Saturday, 12 May 2012

What it's about
An actor can't find work so he dresses up as a woman to get a job on a soap opera.

What I thoughtI thought Dorothy was funny.

What Mum thoughtMum had seen this one before. "It'd been a long time since I've seen this one. I love Hoffman in it, and Jessica Lange is brilliant. It's a very intelligent comedy and some great observations on relationships. It hasn't dated particularly well, and the sexist undertones are going to annoy some people, but I do have a soft spot for this film."What Dad thought

First time for Dad. "Oh, Tootsie, you bastard. You started it all. A throw away comment by Tina Fey in 30 Rock and ten months later we are on number 70, having watched approximately 8400 minutes of film.Some have been absolutely breath taking, whereas other have just sucked the life from me. I've seen films I would never have gone out my way to see and I've revisited favourites from my past.

I guess I'll always have a soft spot for Tootsie. Hoffman makes a great woman. The film is funny, lively and well constructed. I enjoyed it."

Tuesday, 8 May 2012

What it's about
An old cowboy agrees to take one last job as a gunslinger.

What I thoughtI like cowboys.

What Mum thoughtMum had seen this one before. "As we've said before, the main problem with this list is there are so many good films that sometimes so much quality becomes a little dull. I love Clint Eastwood as a director, but yeah, yeah, yeah... Retired, been talked in to one last job... It's great, but I can't see why it's on the list. The cinematography isn't great. The plot is cliched, to put it mildly. Acting... meh! Dialogue... meh, a bit awkward in places. This is a decent enough film, but it hasn't had a huge influence on the film industry. It won Oscars over A Scent of a Woman and A Few Good Men. Both of which I would rank higher than this even if those two wouldn't make my top 100."What Dad thought

First time for Dad. "I really enjoyed this film. I though it was a really good example of the anti-hero and loved Eastwood's performance. The story of the cop/soldier/assassin coming out of retirement for one last job has been done many times, but this is a very good example."

Monday, 23 April 2012

What it's about
Two very bitter people try to make two other people bitter too.

What I thoughtNot a lot for me here. I liked the music, but the rest was a bit boring for me.

What Mum thoughtFirst time for Mum. "Wow, just wow! I've been a little disappointed with most of the ones I hadn't seen before, this one was just brilliant, an absolute masterpiece! As close to perfect as you can get, wonderful performances, beautifully dark and complex characters, a great storyline and plot twist, even if the twist and ending were inevitable. Cinematography was great, the dialogue superbly written, a subtle, yet beautiful score... Need I go on? If you haven't seen this one before, go and treat yourself."What Dad thought

First time for Dad. "Another film to come out of nowhere and blow me away. The film was a play before being translated to film and this really comes across in the clever dialogue and writing. The performances were first rate, Taylor had me choking back tears. During this blog I've given my opinion on films but I've not said whether you should take the trouble to see a film...

Sunday, 22 April 2012

What it's about
A very cool man with a whip goes looking for treasure some baddies want too. Nazis again!

What I thoughtI loved it. Lots of action and funny melty faces.

What Mum thoughtMum had seen this before. A few times. "These film scared me so much as a kid. Not only the tense moments where you worry for Indy's life (I mean as a kid here) but the horrific image of the faces melting haunted me for weeks after seeing it for the first time. Now my kids just sit there unaffected by the whole thing, okay it's dated and plasticine effects hold no fear, but I was close to disowning them for being so indifferent over this."What Dad thought

Dad's seen this many, many times before. "This film sets the bar for the action-adventure and I've loved it since I was a child. The soundtrack is awesome, the bolder scene immense and it introduce a line over a map representing travel. I love everything about this film because it is awesome. The direction, the performance, the dialogue, all combine to make it one of my favourite films of all time."

Friday, 20 April 2012

What it's about
A woman talks a guy with a boat to attack another big boat.

What I thoughtI really liked the choo-choo boat! It was like a train and a boat.

What Mum thoughtMum had seen this one before. "Love this film! Despite not exactly being a Bogart fan, his on-screen relationship with Hepburn is amazing, despite the lack of chemistry there. A touching love story without being at all sentimental. Brilliant cinematography and direction too."What Dad thought

First time for Dad. "Loved this movie. This was the first time I'd seen it and I really enjoyed it. The relationship between Charlie and Rose is brilliantly portrayed."

Thursday, 19 April 2012

What I thoughtI thought it was funny when the man started ranting and shouting.

What Mum thoughtFirst time for Mum. "It's a satire and one that hasn't dated, it's still relevant. I must admit I'm struggling a little to review it. It should be brilliant. It just didn't hold my attention too well. The production seems somewhat disorganised, the pacing too slow and, although the acting is just fine, the characters themselves seem wooden."What Dad thought

First time for Dad. "So disappointed. Thought it was going to be cool. Some of these movies don't belong on the list."

What it's about
A signer/dancer goes out with two men while some bad guys (Mum says they're called Natsis) rise to power.

What I thoughtI really liked this one, there were lots of songs to bob along to.

What Mum thoughtMum had seen this one before. "Loved this one. It's not a cheesy, I feel a song coming on, kind of musical. The songs are constricted to the stage of the Kit Kat club for most of it, adding the the seedy atmosphere of the club. It's quite a harsh story which has me shedding a tear each time I watch it."What Dad thought

First time for Dad. "There were lots of Nazis, but it was no Sound of Music."